THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Thank
you all for coming. We had a
long night -- and a great night. (Applause.) The voters turned
out in
record numbers and delivered an historic victory. (Applause.)

Earlier today, Senator Kerry called with
his congratulations. We
had a really good phone call, he was very gracious. Senator Kerry
waged a spirited campaign, and he and his supporters can be proud of
their efforts. (Applause.) Laura and I wish Senator Kerry and
Teresa
and their whole family all our best wishes.

America has spoken, and I'm humbled by the
trust and the confidence
of my fellow citizens. With that trust comes a duty to serve all
Americans, and I will do my best to fulfill that duty every day as your
President. (Applause.)

There are many people to thank, and my
family comes first.
(Applause.) Laura is the love of my life. (Applause.) I'm
glad you
love her, too. (Laughter.) I want to thank our daughters, who
joined
their dad for his last campaign. (Applause.) I appreciate the
hard
work of my sister and my brothers. I especially want to thank my
parents for their loving support. (Applause.)

I'm grateful to the Vice President and
Lynne and their daughters,
who have worked so hard and been such a vital part of our team.
(Applause.) The Vice President serves America with wisdom and
honor,
and I'm proud to serve beside him. (Applause.)

I want to thank my superb campaign team. I
want to thank you all
for your hard work. (Applause.) I was impressed every day by how
hard
and how skillful our team was. I want to thank Marc -- Chairman Marc
Racicot and -- (applause) -- the Campaign Manager, Ken Mehlman.
(Applause.) And the architect, Karl Rove. (Applause.) I
want to thank
Ed Gillespie for leading our Party so well. (Applause.)

I want to thank the thousands of our
supporters across our
country. I want to thank you for your hugs on the rope lines; I
want
to thank you for your prayers on the rope lines; I want to thank you
for your kind words on the rope lines. I want to thank you for
everything you did to make the calls and to put up the signs, to talk
to your neighbors and to get out the vote. (Applause.) And
because
you did the incredible work, we are celebrating today. (Applause.)

There's an old saying, "Do not pray for
tasks equal to your powers;
pray for powers equal to your tasks." In four historic years,
America
has been given great tasks, and faced them with strength and
courage.
Our people have restored the vigor of this economy, and shown resolve
and patience in a new kind of war. Our military has brought
justice to
the enemy, and honor to America. (Applause.) Our nation has
defended
itself, and served the freedom of all mankind. I'm proud to lead
such
an amazing country, and I'm proud to lead it forward. (Applause.)

Because we have done the hard work, we are
entering a season of
hope. We'll continue our economic progress. We'll reform
our outdated
tax code. We'll strengthen the Social Security for the next
generation. We'll make public schools all they can be. And
we will
uphold our deepest values of family and faith.

We will help the emerging democracies of
Iraq and Afghanistan --
(applause) -- so they can grow in strength and defend their
freedom.
And then our servicemen and women will come home with the honor they
have earned. (Applause.) With good allies at our side, we will
fight
this war on terror with every resource of our national power so our
children can live in freedom and in peace. (Applause.)

Reaching these goals will require the
broad support of Americans.
So today I want to speak to every person who voted for my
opponent: To
make this nation stronger and better I will need your support, and I
will work to earn it. I will do all I can do to deserve your
trust. A
new term is a new opportunity to reach out to the whole nation.
We
have one country, one Constitution and one future that binds us.
And
when we come together and work together, there is no limit to the
greatness of America. (Applause.)

Let me close with a word to the people of
the state of Texas.
(Applause.) We have known each other the longest, and you started
me
on this journey. On the open plains of Texas, I first learned the
character of our country: sturdy and honest, and as hopeful as the
break of day. I will always be grateful to the good people of my
state. And whatever the road that lies ahead, that road will take
me
home.

The campaign has ended, and the United
States of America goes
forward with confidence and faith. I see a great day coming for
our
country and I am eager for the work ahead. God bless you, and may
God
bless America. (Applause.)